Is the first time the worst time? Is being original overrated? These songs might just prove that theory. Take a dive in the world of cover songs and remakes, re-imaginings, and WTF? You might just find some hidden gems to take you through the weekend
Johnny Cash – Hurt (original Trent Reznor)
Thirteen – Wilco (original Big Star)
All Along the Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix (original Bob Dylan)
Respect – Aretha (original Otis Redding)
You might even find a surprise or two! Enjoy.
Monsoon (Featuring Sheila Chandra) – Tomorrow Never Knows http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tREPdqAI5M
My fave covers of all time:
Emerson Lake & Palmer’s Hoedown (their rocking version of Aaron Copeland’s Rodeo)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFCniNYZoFg
Wierd Al Yankovic’s Bohemian Polka (Polka version of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody) – not better, perhaps, but certainly cool in it’s own right.
The Tubes “Theme From a Woolly Place” is a double cover – “Woolly Bully” overlaid by “Theme From A Summer Place”. Weird but it works.
https://youtu.be/yaGlZi6ZBBg
It’s easy to think of a cover as a song wearing a costume. I’m told Widespread Panic does an annual Halloween concert where they play only covers. Since Halloween is just around the corner, here is a selection of covers by Widespread Panic.
No Sugar Tonight (The Guess Who)
https://youtu.be/eL3PWcYXgY4
Nights In White Satin (The Moody Blues)
https://youtu.be/E70LFjIQWd8
Slippin’ Into Darkness (War)
https://youtu.be/xBDkpWX3Tpc
Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys (Traffic)
https://youtu.be/LsSLdzPdbs8
Frank Zappa–Stairway To Heaven (Led Zepplin);
Nice one! I haven’t heard Zappa’s version. Most people only know Zappa for his biting social commentary. If they would look beyond that, they’d see a very talented musician and guitarist.
He massacres “Whipping Post”.
https://youtu.be/O2gm3RExeJ8
Zappa was, without doubt, one of a kind. A brilliant musician and an uncanny way of cutting to the chase about society and government. And he taught himself music and how to produce and run soundboards. He was once asked how he learned all of this, and he said, “I went to the library!”
The Byrds–It’s Alright Ma (Bob Dylan);
The Byrds’ biggest hit “Turn! Turn! Turn!” is also a cover. The original was done by Pete Seeger.
https://youtu.be/W4ga_M5Zdn4
“Let It Be” — Carol Woods, Timothy T Mitchum, and Church Choir from the movie “Across The Universe”. This video clip is one of the most powerful scenes in the movie.
https://youtu.be/JXLbyb-3Vl8
Some of the events in those days are burned into my memory forever. Especially Kent State.
Me too. I lived in Detroit during the 1967 riots.
I think you’ll really enjoy “Across The Universe”. It’s worth buying the DVD, don’t wait for Netflix.
Beyond all this great music and interesting “do overs” it occurs to me we’d better get used to this. If Cain’s 9-9-9 should become our tax law, we will HAVE to buy “used music” to avoid the sales tax!
Ha, whatever happened to the Napster?
“Heroes” Blondie covering Bowie.
https://youtu.be/Y1T2VqyQLys
“More Than This” Blondie covering Roxy Music.
https://youtu.be/ynudZ3-x3HY
The Black Keys–Funk #49 (The James Gang);
Return To Me–Bob Dylan (Dean Martin);
Across The Universe–David Bowie (The Beatles);
Here is Bowie doing John Lennon’s “Imagine”
https://youtu.be/waV9et1AfDo
Johnny Cash–In My Life (The Beatles);
I love the guitar work in this but, to be honest, I’ve never cared for Johnny Cash’s singing voice. It seems coarse compared to the smooth guitar.
And of course one of my all time fave covers:
What a Wonderful World – Joey Ramone
Here’s an eclectic mix:
My Way – Sid Vicious
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSckn2JGXUU
Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds – William Shatner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-yy2URAYqU
You Really Got Me – Van Halen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fAd7MoT9c8
I Won’t Back Down – Eddie Vedder
LOL! William Shatner’s “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” could not exist in any sane Universe.
Ad, I’ll take your Shatner and double down: Shatner singing Bohemian Rhapsody. Completely absurd and hilarious.[img]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKo4FMzt_hM[/img]
AIEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeee!!!!
[runs from the room]